Rapid Referral for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Telehealth Grant Program

The Rapid Referral for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Telehealth program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Health through its Division of Syndemic and Substance Use Services. The Department serves as the primary state agency responsible for public health initiatives, including efforts to combat substance use disorders and related public health crises. This funding opportunity is part of New Jersey’s broader statewide strategy to address the opioid epidemic, reduce overdose deaths, and expand equitable access to evidence-based treatment services. The initiative specifically focuses on leveraging telehealth to improve rapid access to care. The purpose of this grant program is to fund a telehealth provider capable of delivering emergency assessment and initiating Medication for Opioid Use Disorder treatment via telemedicine. The program is designed to ensure that individuals experiencing opioid use disorder can receive timely clinical intervention regardless of geographic or logistical barriers. By prioritizing rapid referral and treatment initiation, the program aims to reduce the risks associated with untreated opioid use disorder, including overdose and mortality, while enhancing continuity of care across the state. Funding under this program is provided as a single award totaling 2,000,000 dollars for a defined performance period beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027. The funding is intended to support operational costs associated with telehealth service delivery, including clinical staffing, technology infrastructure, patient engagement systems, and coordination with other healthcare providers. While specific allowable cost categories are not detailed in the notice, all expenditures must comply with state grant administration requirements and applicable compliance standards issued by the awarding division. Eligibility for this opportunity is highly restricted. Only the entity that was funded under the fiscal year 2026 Rapid Referral for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder grant is eligible to apply. Although the broader eligibility categories listed include municipalities, counties, state agencies, tribal governments, institutions of higher education, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations, the qualification clause explicitly limits participation to a previously funded entity. This effectively makes the opportunity non-competitive for new applicants and serves as a continuation or renewal of an existing program. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Department’s System for Administering Grants Electronically platform. Applicants are required to follow the Request for Applications guidance and comply with all administrative and programmatic requirements. The application process does not specify pre-application steps such as letters of intent, indicating a direct submission model. Interested parties must ensure timely submission through the designated portal to be considered. The application timeline is clearly defined. The application becomes available on May 11, 2026, with a submission deadline of June 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by July 1, 2026, aligning with the start of the award period. The notice does not indicate that this funding opportunity recurs annually, though the reference to prior year funding suggests a potential continuation model subject to state appropriations and program evaluation. For additional information, applicants may contact Kerry Griffin at the New Jersey Department of Health. Contact details include both a telephone number and email address, and the mailing address for the Department is provided in Trenton, New Jersey. These contact resources are intended to support applicants in understanding submission requirements and program expectations.